Use the Right Feeder
Hummingbirds are territorial and will try to guard a feeder as their own. However, you can outsmart them and attract multiple hummingbirds by using a feeder designed to accommodate more birds. Look for feeders with multiple ports or feeding stations. The more, the better. Popular options include:
- Saucer or disc style feeders with space for several birds to feed at once
- Feeders with 4-12+ feeding ports in a circle or cluster
- Long trough or tray feeders that allow room for multiple hummingbirds to feed
The key is having a feeder with multiple feeding access points so one bird cannot easily guard the entire thing. This allows multiple hummingbirds to share the feeder at the same time.
Get the Right Style of Feeder Ports
In addition to having a feeder with multiple ports, consider the style of the ports themselves. Vertical feeding tubes often lead to more squabbling as dominant birds perch on top and chase others away.
Ports set at an angle or horizontal perches reduce fighting by making it harder for one bird to control the entire feeder. Look for feeders advertised as “bulb guards” or “bee guards” as these often have the angled or horizontal perches that minimize bullying.
Locate the Feeder in a Good Spot
Where you place your feeder can also impact how many hummingbirds visit. Avoid crowded areas full of trees and shrubs. The open competition stresses hummingbirds and makes them more territorial.
Instead, position your feeder in a more open area of your yard. Near flowers is ideal as hummingbirds are already accustomed to sharing these nectar sources. Just make sure there is enough open space around the feeder so multiple birds feel comfortable approaching from all angles.
Offer Plenty of Food
Hunger and low resources also trigger hummingbirds to become territorial. Make sure your feeder always has ample food so hummingbirds do not have to compete as much.
- Fill your feeder 1⁄2 to 1⁄3 full with nectar each morning
- Make 2-3 times more nectar than you think you need
- Clean and refill feeders every 2-3 days in warm weather when nectar spoils faster
With a consistent abundance of food, hummingbirds will be less likely to squabble over every last drop. This reduces stress and makes them more tolerant of sharing.
Use the Proper 4:1 Sugar to Water Ratio
In addition to keeping their feeder full, hummingbirds need nectar with the right concentration of sugar. The standard recommendation is mixing 1 part white, granulated sugar with 4 parts water. This 4:1 ratio best mimics natural nectar.
Too little sugar and the nectar does not provide enough fuel. Too much sugar can dehydrate the birds. Stay with an exact 4:1 sugar-to-water ratio and avoid any other ingredients or flavors. This will keep your flock healthy and satisfied.
Have Multiple Feeders
Rather than just one large feeder, try offering nectar in multiple smaller feeders spaced around your yard. Position them at least 10 feet apart to reduce squabbles over territory.
More feeders means more feeding opportunities, so several hummingbirds can sip in peace together. Start with two feeders on opposite sides of your yard and add more if needed.
Provide Other Attractions
Hummingbirds also compete at other flowering plants, not just feeders. Providing diverse food sources helps diffuse aggression and allows more birds to coexist.
Plant Native Flowers
Include plenty of native plants and flowers in your landscape that hummingbirds have evolved with. Good options include:
- Bee balm
- Cardinal flower
- Columbine
- Coral honeysuckle
- Fire pink
- Foxglove
- Penstemon
- Salvia
- Trumpet vine
Choose plants with different bloom seasons to provide flowers spring through fall when hummingbirds are active. Mix short and tall flowers so birds can fly freely between them.
Add Nectar Feeders
In addition to a main hummingbird feeder, supplement with hanging nectar feeders or artificial flowers. Position these around your yard 10+ feet away from other food sources.
Having multiple feeding stations prevents one dominant bird from controlling all the food. The more you diversify their dining options, the more hummingbirds your yard can support.
Offer Fruit
Hummingbirds also get nutrients from eating small insects and fruit. Hang halves of oranges, grapes, bananas, and other fruit using a basket or mesh bag. Keep fruit fresh by changing it out daily before it spoils.
Fruit feeds hummingbirds naturally without added sugar. It provides essential nutrients and gives them another activity besides nectar drinking. Less competition at feeders means less fighting.
Provide Perches
Hummingbirds rest between feedings on branches, wires, and other perches. Ensure they have ample options by installing store-bought perches or leaving dead branches in your yard. Add more perching spots than the number of hummingbirds you want to attract.
Abundant perches mean birds do not have to compete over their favorite resting spot between meals. They can digest in peace together.
Follow Other Tips to Reduce Aggression
Besides feeders and food sources, a few other strategies can help minimize hummingbird squabbles:
- Mist areas around feeders and perches. Hummingbirds enjoy bathing and the moisture seems to calm them.
- Avoid reds and oranges on feeders as these colors sometimes trigger aggression. Opt for neutral tones like tan, beige, or brown.
- Move feeders periodically to disrupt territorial claims by dominant birds.
- Wait until late winter or early spring to put out feeders. This prevents fights over summer and fall territory.
- Take down feeders for a week if you notice intense bullying. This resets the pecking order when you put feeders back up.
With some patience and experimentation, you can absolutely attract multiple hummingbirds to your yard. The key is reducing competition through smart feeder styles, abundant food, diverse nectar sources, and ample perches. Follow these tips and you’ll have a lively flock visiting your feeders in harmony.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hummingbirds will come to one feeder?
Typically 2-4 hummingbirds is the maximum that will peacefully share a single feeder. Occasionally up to 8-12 may feed at once on a large feeder, but fighting often occurs in these large groups. Limiting feeders to 4 or fewer ports reduces aggression. Supplement with additional feeders spaced apart to attract more hummingbirds.
What is the minimum number of hummingbird feeders per acre?
As a general rule of thumb:
- 1/4 acre or less: 1-2 feeders
- 1/4 to 1/2 acre: 2-3 feeders
- 1/2 to 1 acre: 3-4 feeders
Always start on the lower end and add more feeders later if needed to prevent crowding. Separate feeders by at least 10 feet. Increase to 10+ feeders per acre if you have a very large property to accommodate territorial behavior.
Where should I hang hummingbird feeders to attract the most birds?
Ideal hummingbird feeder placement includes:
- Within 3-5 feet of natural cover like trees or shrubs so birds can escape
- Within view of flowers and plants hummingbirds like
- High enough for cats or other predators not to reach – 5+ feet is best
- Out of direct sunlight and rain to keep nectar fresher
- Where you can easily see the feeder to refill and clean it
Position multiple feeders around your yard every 10-20 feet to reduce squabbles. Avoid clustering feeders or hanging too close to trees where territorial birds perch.
Should I take down my hummingbird feeders at night?
There is no need to remove hummingbird feeders at night. Hummingbirds feed every 10-15 minutes from dawn to dusk. Leaving feeders out overnight ensures they have easy access to fuel first thing in the morning.
Only take down feeders temporarily if you notice aggressive fighting or need to clean them. Otherwise, leave feeders up 24/7 so hummingbirds always have a food source available.
Conclusion
Attracting multiple hummingbirds takes patience, but is very rewarding. Focus on reducing competition by getting a properly designed feeder, keeping it fully stocked with fresh nectar, and supplementing with additional food sources like flowers and fruit. Position everything with plenty of space throughout your yard. With some time, you’ll be able to host a diverse, lively flock. The more you can minimize aggression triggers, the more hummingbirds will thrive together at your feeders.
